Say it loud: “it is all about Computer Software’! Indeed, the whole cacophony about the upcoming 2027 General Election resides on the knowledge, core competence, quality and integrity of the Operating System and Applications Software – Louder?
It is all about Computer Software! And would ultimately be determined by Software!
The Roles of Software in the implementation of national election is not only critical, but indispensable! Are we currently searching in the dark and kicking the bucket without a torchlight?
The torchlight for navigating the darkrooms of the National electoral processes resides in the Software Ecosystem.
The Software Ecosystem in the Operating System of a general election is equivalent to the blood and oxygen that runs in our Veins and sustains Human Life and civilization.
Therefore, neglecting the fundamental importance of the Software Ecosystem in the operational dynamics of 2027 national General Election, would not only be catastrophic, but indeed may stop the nation from breathing!
The current interrogations on the need to deliver an effective and trusted technology-driven national election revolves around one single functional entity – without which, no electronic election is possible, feasible nor can be effectively delivered!
That single but extraordinary entity is Computer Software! Indeed, this 360-degree analysis on the critical intersections of the current national dialogue on 2027 General Election reveals that, globally, software is and has overtly become the indispensable tool required for navigating, modernizing and streamlining electoral processes.
Software fosters and enhances transparency, builds trust and improves efficiency of national elections around the world.
And perhaps our most critical concern should be: “what type of electoral Software should Nigeria deploy for her general election? And who should/would provide the service? “
Who are the Designers. Producers and Deployers? Is the Software a proprietary and certified solution or Opensource? Above all, does the Software have AI-enabled features and functionalities with embedded capabilities to hijack, recondition and transform internal instructions, processes and manipulate numbers?
Which third parties are involved in monitoring the efficiency, efficacy and security of the Software OS and Applications? Is there a best-practice guarantee?
The above concerns are strategically imperative and informed by the following analytics: They help us and further ventilates how Software plays a crucial role in the implementation of national elections in several ways – inclusive of the followings:
First is the task of delivering Voters Registration, where election management software helps to verify and register voters, update voters’ status and track voters’ eligibility. That is followed by the task of monitoring and governing the Voting Systems through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Online Voting Systems (where applicable) – both of which rely on software to record, count, and tabulate cast votes.
Going forward, these intersectional analytics lead us to the domain of Election Results Management.
This domain is where Software is used to tally and transmit election results quickly and accurately, depending on the tested and certified abilities of the design functionalities and quality of physical infrastructure.
Next to the above intersections is Election Process Management, where Software is applied to manage various aspects of the electoral processes, including candidate registration, ballot design, and polling station code management – including electronic transmission of election results – delivered automatically.
All the above processes require intersectional checks and balances. And again, the degree and quality of Software requirement to enable content Auditing and Security becomes very significant.
At this intersection, Software is on call and helps to ensure and delivers the integrity and transparency of the electoral process by providing audit trails, secure data storage, and real-time monitoring.
Finally, and perhaps the most critical element is (2027) “Election Results Transmission”: At this stage, (computer) software is at the centre of the functionalities and facilitates the real- time electronic transmission of election results to authorised electoral authorities, who grants access to the public and certified news organizations, where applicable.
The bottom-line is that professional Software Solutions competencies is at the heart of a successful national General Election.
The Call-to-order factor is to interrogate where the transmitted data and information are hoisted – Internationally or Domestically? Where exactly is the INEC Primary Server located? Offshore? OR in country?
Digital fact is that location factor is a sensitive issue with respect to latency in Data transfer from Primary to Secondary Server location.
Beyond 2027, it is time to think without the BOX and start now to prepare how Indigenous Software Application Solutions can deliver a credible and trusted nation General Election come 2031?
*Chris Uwaje is a former president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON).
